3D in vitro model of the pancreatic acino-ductal unit through additive manufacturing technology

This project aims at reproducing the morphology and the composition of the pancreatic acino-ductal unit. More specifically, this work involves the use of additive manufacturing technologies to fabricate a 3D exocrine glandular tissue model that mimics in vitro the physiological structure experienced by cells in vivo

Regeneration of articular cartilage: Scaffold used in orthopedic surgery. A short handbook of available products for regenerative joints surgery

Introduction: Restoring defects of load-bearing connective tissues such as articular cartilage resulting from traumas, degenerative or age-related diseases remains a significant clinical challenge for clinicians due to the limited inherent repair capacity of articular cartilage. Tissue engineering has emerged as a potential alternative to the traditional surgical techniques, as it can be effectively used to regenerate bone, cartilage and the bone-cartilage interface. Several scaffold strategies have been developed and evaluated for osteochondral defect repair. Materials and methods: The classes of polymers (scaffold-based proteins, scaffold-base polysaccharides and synthetic scaffolds) and Hydrogels have been reviewed trough literature and market search. The study focused on their respective properties and analyzed advantages and disadvantages of each of them. Discussion: Clinical studies demonstrated improved cartilage regeneration thanks to the implantation of biomaterials after bone marrow stimulation. New cartilage can be engineered in vivo by transplanting chondrocytes seeded into a three-dimensional scaffold and this novel scaffold has mechanical properties that can be comparable to native cartilage and could be used to repair large osteochondral joints defects. Anyway, there is still space for improvement regarding clinical outcome and tissue quality

Reviewing recently developed technologies to direct cell activity through the control of pore size: From the macro- to the nanoscale

Scaffold pore size plays a fundamental role in the regeneration of new tissue since it has been shown to direct cell activity in situ. It is well known that cellular response changes in relation with pores diameter. Consequently, researchers developed efficient approaches to realize scaffolds with controllable macro-, micro-, and nanoporous architecture. In this context, new strategies aiming at the manufacturing of scaffolds with multiscale pore networks have emerged, in the attempt to mimic the complex hierarchical structures found in living systems. In this review, we aim at providing an overview of the fabrication methods currently adopted to realize scaffolds with controlled, multisized pores highlighting their specific influence on cellular activity